Hosea 6:6 (BSB)

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

From Hosea 6. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Hosea 6:6

• John Calvin (Reformed), Calvin's Commentaries on Hosea 6:6: God in this place declares that he desires mercy, and not sacrifices; and he does so to prevent an objections and to anticipate all frivolous pretenses. There is never wanting to hypocrites, we well know, a cover for themselves; and so great is their assurance, that they hesitate not sometimes to contend with God.
• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Hosea 6:4-11: Two things, two evil things, both Judah and Ephraim are here charged with, and justly accused of: - I. That they were not firm to their own convictions, but were unsteady, unstable as water, Hos 6:4, Hos 6:5. O Ephraim! what shall I do unto thee? O Judah! what shall I do unto thee? This is a strange expression. Can Infinite Wisdom be at a loss what to do?
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Hosea 6:6: For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice,.... That is, the one rather than the other, as the next clause explains it. Sacrifices were of early use, even before the law of Moses; they were of divine appointment, and were approved and accepted of by the Lord; they were types of Christ, and led to him, and were continued unto his death; but in comparison of...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Hosea 6:6: mercy--put for piety in general, of which mercy or charity is a branch. not sacrifice--that is, "rather than sacrifice." So "not" is merely comparative (Exo 16:8; Joe 2:13; Joh 6:27; Ti1 2:14). As God Himself instituted sacrifices, it cannot mean that He desired them not absolutely, but that even in the Old Testament, He valued moral obedience as the only end for which positive ordinances...